News reports indicate that China is prepared to skip future discussions on Ukraine peace talks unless Russia is included in the dialogue, a stance described by officials familiar with the briefing.
The reports claim that Beijing is advocating for Europe to recognize Russia as part of any peace process, potentially in a venue like Switzerland, and that China could withhold participation if Moscow is excluded. This position surfaces during observations of China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, during his recent diplomatic circuit across Europe that wrapped up last week. His itinerary included stops in Russia, Belgium, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, and France, where he held a series of discussions with senior policymakers and diplomats.
Li Hui has stressed that China, together with Germany, is prepared to back a peace conference that would invite all sides to help map a course toward ending hostilities in Ukraine. The envoy underscored a collaborative approach, signaling Beijing’s willingness to work in tandem with Berlin on creating a framework that brings the conflict to a comprehensive, negotiated settlement.
Earlier, Geng Shuang, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, indicated that Beijing stands ready to offer the necessary conditions for talks between Russia and Ukraine. The comments reflect a consistent position from Chinese diplomatic channels that any future negotiations should be inclusive and structured to enable durable dialogue and stability in the region.
In related developments, Li Hui previously met with Andriy Yermak, the head of President Zelensky’s Office, as part of ongoing efforts to coordinate on the diplomatic front. The engagements underscore China’s preference for a balanced, multilateral process that accommodates all parties with a direct stake in the outcome, while seeking to preserve dialogue channels that could avert broader escalation.